Air Force officials suspended use of the gun after the death of an airman in Wyoming on July 20. Now SAPD is following suit.
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Police Department said it’s suspending use of the Sig Sauer P320 handgun for both on and off-duty officers after the death of an airman stationed at Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming earlier this month.
Officials at that base said use of the semi-automatic pistol was paused “until further notice” following a “tragic incident” July 20 resulting in the death of Brayden Lovan, a 21-year-old airman. Details of what happened have not yet been released, but an investigation is underway.
That incident, however, comes amid growing scrutiny over the weapon. Sig Sauer, based in New Hampshire, is defending itself against multiple lawsuits alleging that the gun can go off without the trigger being pulled, according to the Associated Press.
Sig Sauer denies the claims, saying the P320 is safe and the problem is user error. It has prevailed in some cases.
“Our hearts are with the service members and families impacted by the recent reported event at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base,” the gun manufacturer said in a statement posted to social media. “We proactively offered assistance to the U.S. Military as they investigate the incident and remain willing to help in furtherance of their ongoing inquiry.”
Sig Sauer went on to say it had “absolute confidence” in the ongoing investigation surrounding the death in Wyoming. U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command paused use of the gun last week.
An SAPD spokesperson said the department was “aware of a potential defect involving the Sig Sauer P320,” adding it was suspending its use “out of an abundance of caution.”
“SAPD is committed to the safety of our officers and the community,” the spokesperson said.
It’s unknown how many of the P320 firearms are in SAPD’s inventory. KENS 5 reached out to Texas DPS and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office to find out if their uniformed personnel also use the gun.
A version of the P320 is the common duty weapon issued by police departments nationwide, and tens of thousands of civilians own the gun. In a November 2024 meeting in Washington, the company offered alternative explanations for why the P320s fired in some instances and said lab tests by the company and the U.S. Army have never resulted in an unintended discharged.
Sig Sauer’s website touts its P320 as “the most tested and proven sidearm ever.” It also says the pistol is the official sidearm of all branches of the U.,S. military. Police in Tampa, Florida, are reportedly reevaluating their use of the pistol, while the Washington State Criminal Justice Commission has banned police recruits from carrying it.